Low whistle/howl; wind or differential?

Glad to hear the issue is those a arm holes.

 

Its so loud in the front I can't even imagine what it would be like sitting in the back.

My recent loaner Taco (with 13K miles on it) is the first one that didn't have it...that badly. It would present itself ever-so-faintly at the 54mph sweet spot--I really had to listen. Mines gotten worse over time but was never as quiet as the loaner. Maybe that truck will get lucky and it will never get bad. If my truck sounded like the loaner, I would probably never have complained.

I've driven over a dozen 3rd gen Tacos at this point and they all have it to varying degrees. This past loaner was the quietest/only one that I would say "didnt have it". My truck is in the top 10% of shittiness though.

 

Precisely. Much like yourself I have been in and out of the dealer getting things fixed on my truck. I've driven a total of 4 different 2017 tacomas with the same results.....weird trucks. Really regret my purchase.

Claim open with Toyota corporate and waiting for results....most likely nothing since they don't care about their buyers.

 

I took everyone's advice and went to Lowes and bought 6 qty 9/16 plugs. I paid 3.73 w tax. Took 2 minutes to install. Easy cheap mod. I don't have to hassle with the dealer. Just made a 220 mile trip on the freeway doing 75-80 mph and no howling. However I did not have any crosswinds on this trip. Crosswinds is where I heard the howl the most before during this mod.

 

I had the A Arm howl and a buzz from dash. Not a tic tic tic. Hard to diagnose the noise but two techs went out and one guy was upside down in seat until they found it. The tech referred to using a vibration and rattle kit. I picture the same stuff as you'd see on as pickup truck cap gasket between cap and bed rail. Here's what they wrote. Maybe this can help you out. It was getting worse and super annoying.



If it's a tic tic tic however is it like the 2nd generation and the HVAC fan is making the noise? My 2nd generation had it. I just pulled the fan now and then and used graphite lube on the opposite side of the fan motor where the steel shaft didn't have a bearing. Would work for months at a time.

 

Yeah, it's more of a buzz coming from the dash. Thanks for your answer!

 

I noticed the jug sound as soon as I got my 2016 Tacoma...happens on one road every day going to work. A gap in the buildings roadside allows a crosswind...and it whistles...saw a picture once comparing the A-arms side by side to a okarena .....theyre the same alright. Anyway, on particularly windy days I hear it constantly...makes me wonder how loud it is from outside the cab XD

 

I almost purchased a sport and it didn't have side steps. When I got the Limited (in Canada they come with chrome side steps) I thought the noise was the side steps howling like the old roof racks when you didn't have plugs in the end. Thankfully I researched it and it wasn't long before I found the TSB about it.

 

Update: I just completed a 1400 mile trip that included lots of winds (head wind, tail wind, and cross wind). The noise that came from the front lower control arms (LCA - now with the Toyota plugs - $2.47 each) is totally quiet. However, I now hear a new noise when driving around 50-60mph that sounds like the exact same noise but comes from the back right side of the truck. This noise will change when I press or release the accelerator pedal. This noise is consistent and usually around 55mph.

Other than the new rear sounding noise, everything else was really good on this trip. Trip included driving in about 6in of snow, using 4wd H, etc. The only disappointment was when moving the NAV will not let you type in a new destination (even the other front passenger - I really hate this). I see where there are some suggestions on changing this so I will likely research this one some more.

 

Without physically modding the truck's wiring harness you cannot change that setting in regards to operating navigation while moving. I wouldn't fault someone for doing so. However if you hit the speech/ command button on the steering wheel you can say the command "enter address" and say where you want to go. You can do while navigating already and it will even ask you if you want to go directly or add to you route.

 

That new noise sounds like the dreaded widespread rear end howling.

 

Yup. You'll hear the rear diff howl while feathering the gas around 55mph. I have it. Its a PITA, and no fix from Toyota last I checked.

 

You have a pic of these plugs?

 

I'm new to the forum and tacomas, had mine since October. Do you guys know if the control arms on a 2015 Tacoma can do the exact same thing? This sounds exactly like something my truck is doing and it only happens in the exact same speed range. Please let me know.

 

Should a 2020 come with the lca plugs installed? I think I'm getting the lca whistle.